Microsoft has unveiled a significant update for its Edge browser, achieving a remarkable milestone by reducing key feature load times to secure a global First Contentful Paint (FCP) of under 300 milliseconds. This metric, which measures the interval from when a user initiates navigation to when the browser displays the first portion of content from the Document Object Model (DOM), is critical for user experience. Research indicates that delays surpassing the 300 to 400 ms range can lead to noticeable declines in user satisfaction. Thus, reaching this new threshold is poised to enhance the fluidity and engagement of the browser for everyday users.
Innovative Architecture for Enhanced Performance
To achieve this ambitious target, the Edge development team opted for its proprietary WebUI 2.0 architecture, moving away from the traditional React framework. By focusing on native web components, such as HTML templates and CSS styling, rather than heavily relying on JavaScript during startup, they accomplished an impressive 40% average reduction in load times across thirteen core features.
In practical terms, the updated settings UI has demonstrated a fourfold improvement in performance compared to its predecessor built on React. Users can now navigate to the Settings page, initiate Read Aloud voice playback, switch between Split Screen views, and manage Workspaces with minimal delay, even on devices with lower specifications.
Building on Previous Enhancements
This latest release builds upon the substantial advancements introduced in May 2024 with Edge 122, which boasted launch times that were 42-76% faster, depending on the hardware. Additionally, an optimization effort in February 2025 targeted fourteen interface subsystems, further refining the user experience. Internal tests have confirmed that the settings panel, previously a minor performance bottleneck, now consistently renders in under 300 ms across a diverse range of machines.
Looking ahead, Microsoft intends to extend these performance enhancements to other critical areas, including Print Preview and Extensions management, throughout the remainder of 2025. This commitment to continuous improvement underscores the company’s dedication to delivering a seamless browsing experience for all users.
